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P900 - Am I too picky?


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10 replies to this topic

#1
MikeSD

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I just picked up a P900.  Went out today to give it a test run.  I was mostly interested in the super tele. I'm used to my DSLR with 200-400mm lens.

 

But I was sadly disappointed. I took about 200 photos from close to far and maybe 1 or 2 was focused.  I wasn't expecting much at 2000mm (eq) but even at 400-1000 they were all badly out of focus.

 

Is it likely this is a hardware issue?  OR is this just what's to be expected with this camera.  I have used other similar (other brands, not named) with much better results.

 

Perhaps I'll post an example.  I know it's not just me.  I used tripod and handheld. And I've been taking photos for over 50 years.



#2
TBonz

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An example along with your EXIF data (shutter speed, aperture, ISO) would be helpful.  



#3
mikew

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It does take some getting used too and with out seeing your results we have no idea what your getting, these are hand held at full zoom.

 

27070169395_cf6852027a_o.jpgDSCN3347 by electric.mike, on Flickr

 

 

26085234096_93ecb40e9b_o.jpgDSCN1444 by electric.mike, on Flickr

 

25740542223_6e0fe74c48_o.jpgDSCN2106 by electric.mike, on Flickr



#4
mikew

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Just a thought but have you adjusted the in camera jpeg settings, most Nikon cameras come with poor settings, i use the ones below, they look crude but i found they worked for me,

 

  • Contrast - Normal
  • Saturation - High
  • Sharpness - Hard


#5
Merco_61

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Does the P900 use Picture controls? If that is the case, what are you using? The standard and neutral controls are best suited for photos that will be edited, The portrait, landscape and vivid controls work better for jpegs straight out of the camera.

 

That aside, we are working blind here. An example or two would be helpful.



#6
MikeSD

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its photos like these that give me confidence I will be able to figure this out.

I will also test some of the pic controls too.

I use Adobe for post processing but I was worried about having such a high number of unusable photos. 2nd attempt today. Will post some examples later, including some bad ones :)

#7
mikew

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One thing i did find especially at full zoom shoot a small burst of 3 or 4 shots, we are not talking spray and pray but that is a long lens to hand hold.



#8
Merco_61

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One thing to remember is that the mass of the 200-400 on a DSLR stabilizes things so it is easier to hold still compared to a diminutive, light camera like the P900. I agree with Mike that short bursts will probably work better than single shots.



#9
Colin B

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Just a thought but are you using the eye level view finder or holding the camera out in front of you as I seem to see almost everyone else doing these days?

 

To my way of thinking using a long lens that way would be very difficult.



#10
MikeSD

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A little progress.  I can see some hope in this. I think my problem was thinking at 2000mm I had some additional room to crop to make photos seem more zoomed.  Not so easy when you are already at 2000mm.

 

There was no post processing other than cropping and resizing on the first 4. The last has some cropping but not resizing.

 

This was an Osprey at about 50 yards. This was equivalent of 548mm.

 

osprey-2018x.jpg

 

Here is a wide shot (24mm) of Seattle. Notice the two objects circled.

 

SN-outx.jpg

 

This was the top of the Space Needle (approx 1797mm)

 

SN-Inx.jpg

 

And this was a duck shown in the circle (approx 2937, a bit of digital zoom).  A bit soft, with no post processing and it was also some digital zoom. Not too bad, considering.

 

duckx.jpg

 

This is just of a helicopter that flew over.  Only 400mm on this one

 

helix.jpg

 

Colin, I always use a viewfinder. This one is a bit dim though. Must be a brightness control somewhere.  Dang, I hate using manuals.



#11
mikew

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You look to be taming it ;)

 

Its a bit like the first few times i tried BIF with my Panasonic GX8, the despair i felt, then i thought pull yourself together its a tool draw on your experience and crack it.